Adjustable clam opener



Aug. 29, 1950 Filed NOV. 20, 1947 H. H. WESIK ADJUSTABLE CLAM OPENER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. HARRY H Wag-m BYSWWW Patented Aug. 29, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ADJUSTABLE CLAM OPENER Harry H. Wesik, Lindenhurst, N. Y. Application November 20, 1947, Serial No. 787,202

1 Claim.

This invention relates to an improved device for opening clams and similar shell fish and for cutting vegetables, and on of its objects is to provide means which can be adjusted to different sizes of clams or other shell fish, for separating the shell sections from each other by a knife splitting action.

Another object of the invention is to provide a table on which clams and similar shell fish may be rapidly opened by a pivoted knife splitting action, and the elevation of the knife pivot adjusted so that any size of clam or other shell fish may be positioned under the knife and it may be operated in the usual manner to split the sections of the clams or other shell fish apart.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for draining the juice from the opened clam or other shell fish into a receptacle,

A further object of the invention is to combine a bottle opener and a can puncturing arrangement with the device.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claim in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the improved table and clam opening means.

Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view, taken on line 22 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows, showing the drain plates and th juice receptacle.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view thereof.

Fig. 4 is a detail vertical sectional view taken on line I4 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows, on an enlarged scale.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the combined clam or shell opening device and a can piercing and bottle cap removing tool.

Fig, 6 is a perspective view of vegetable chopping board which may be used with the device.

Referring to the drawings, which show the practical construction of a clam opening table, embodying my invention, I 0 designates a work table, supported by legs II, and provided with a clam shell holding socket or pit I2 formed in the upper surface, and provided with a drain opening I3 at the center of this holding socket.

A dish or a receptacle I4 ma be placed under the table to cause juice from opened clams to collect in said receptacle under the outlet or drain opening I3.

On the table loan upright metal post I5 is secured by means. of its base I6 and the screws I1. This post is rectangular in cross section, and has smooth sides, and supports the bracket I8, which is slidable on the post from the'upper end to th lower end thereof, and which is formed with a hole orbearing I9 to receive'the post I5,

which corresponds to the shape of the post, and thereby prevents the bracket from turning on the post, This bracket is adjusted b means of the screw--20, which is threaded into the bracket at one side 2l thereof.

On one side of the bracket I8 a bearing lug 22 is formed-and on this hearing lug the forward end 23 of the-cutting or splitting'knife 24 is pivotally supported, as by a bolt 25 and nut 26. The knife or splitter 241s provided with a handle 21, so that manual pressure may be ap plied to the cutting edge 28 of the knife.

In using the improved table and clam opening equipment, a clam 28 is placed in the holding or locating socket or pit 12, with its edges disposed in a vertical plane, and the bracket I8 is adjusted on the post I5, by means of the clamping screw 20 to the preferred height. The cutting edge 28 of the knife or splitter is then forced against the upper edge portion of the clam and manual pressure is brought against th handle of the knife to force the cutting edge through the edge of the shell and thus force apart the sections of the clam shell. The table In is provided with raised edges v29 at three sides of the table top,- but the fourth edge 29 under the handle 21 is somewhat lowered to prevent ones fingers from being injured.

In opening clams in large quantities they are first graded into corresponding sizes, and the clams of each graded size are first opened, and then the other graded sizes are opened. My invention provides an adjustable pivot bracket which can be raised and lowered, so that in each and every case the operator uses the same type of pressure and the same downward stroke on the splitter or knife.

The table and the splitting tool may b used for all types and sizes of clams, oysters and other shell fish; and may also be used for slicing vegetables and fruit, or for splitting coconuts, and small shell nuts, or for chopping meat or the like.

In Figs. 5 and 6 a chopping board 30 is shown. This chopping board is shown with a rectangular opening 3| adapted to engage over the vertical post I5. This board may be lowered to rest on the raised edges 29 of the table II) and then the V cleaned the usualmariner.

i V Wardly the cap will be disengaged Hom the bracket [8 with the cutting knife 24 is also low- V ered to any 'desired location and secured in position by the screw 20, as previously set forth for slicing or chopping vegetables or other food products. The board 30 is prevented from sliding in any direction by the rectangular opening, 3! which engages the post I5. After use, the board 38 may be readily removed by first removing the bracket I 8. Then the board may be The lug ZZ'Tofth'e' bracket 1 8 is equippedwith a can piercing or puncturing sharp point 33, adapted to pierce the upper end of a milk or other food" can. The bracket I8 is also provided -with ian other lug 22 which is equipped withra bottle 15 cap removing hook tool located on the opposite" side thereof. 7 V A When it is desired to use the slid to pierce a can 40, the can is positioned directly undr'tlie sharp point-'53 and the screw '20 is turned to open 20 position Then: the sharp? pointes is forced into the can top: thus producin a' our ng' l'io'le other similar hole may be: punctfired opposite V the-first hole and 'the -other m' disen age: tirefiuidlcontents of the-can 40*. r V 25 it is I desired vto remove the neck ofg the bottle/ EF- is plaic'e against hook Vto'ol- 343 50 thatthe terinir iall of trie nee toolivv-ilhengage the" dge df ttie bottle cap,' w riil 7 be ting-aged tlif-cente y forcing: tha-bqtne dow the fabutmenca 35:; of -"the bottle cap;

small pouriiig liol= V Wilmer-have ferred embodiments of invention; it

strateeenuneserita tnepres precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scop of the invention as defined in the appended claim. 7

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United g, States Letters Patent is:

A device of the class described for opening shell fish and having a tabletop provided with a---s'hel llbc;ting pit and a lnife ni'arisf for adtistany'pivoteuy supporting the" knife in position over the shell locating pit, comprising a post of non-circular cross-section extended upwardly 'fro'm; the table top rearward of the shell locating pit, a bracket non-rotatively but verticallyslidably mounted on said post, a lug projectingiforward from said bracket, a removable nut and bolt assembly pivotally attaching one end of th'e linife to said lug, and a screw threaded through said bracket and abutted heartened witl i t eir;

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